I want a Dragunov style rifle. If you had the money, which would you "need" to have.

Which rifle would you get and why if money was no object, but you could get only one?

  • Russian SVD - 7.62x54R $5000-$7000

    Votes: 16 29.6%

  • Chinese Norinco NDM-86 - 7.62x54R $3500-$4000

    Votes: 4 7.4%

  • Yugoslavian M76 - 8mm $2500-$3000

    Votes: 3 5.6%

  • Romanian PSL - 7.62x54R $800-$1000

    Votes: 12 22.2%

  • You got to be friggin out of your mind to spend that amount of money on this type of rifle!

    Votes: 19 35.2%
  • Total voters
    54
Rockrivr1

Rockrivr1

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For some reason I've been bitten by the Dragunov style rifle bug. As you can see in the poll, some of these are damn expensive. Most are 7.62x54R with one being in 8mm. Both calibers are easy to find, even though they are getting expensive like all other ammo.

If money wasn't an option and you could only get one of these, which one would you get and why? Right now I know where to get one of each of these with the exception of the Russion SVD. I'm hoping for a bonus this year from work, which may go right to this rifle so I'm researching now. The Romanian is obviously the cheapest, but not a true Dragonov. Plus there seems to mixed reviews about how reliable they are. I'd be pissed plunking down $800 for a rifle that doesn't work.

Thanks for the help spending my money!!![smile]
 
I guess it's that I'm just broke right now, but I actually fantasize about a high end (mint) M1A...I suppose that's a tad more attainable at 2-3K
 
The Question Man said:
Which rifle would you get and why if money was no object, but you could get only one?
Click to expand...

Well hell no it wouldn't be a AK variant rifle.

What it would be if I was going to spend that kind of green would be one from this short list below.

(1) FN FAL G Series Preferably one of the 21 exempted GL rifles or one of the 5 Paratrooper G Series rifles.
(2) HK G3 Santa Fe rifle. With the push pin lower.
(3) SIG 510-4 one of 10-20 or so that were exempted by BATF in the Mid 1960's to mid 1970's.
 
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Rockrivr1 said:
Hummm, maybe I should think about getting a machine gun license.
Click to expand...

Now you're talking...Update your poll...[wink]

Here's some suggestions in and around that range:

MAC-10: Find a Powder Springs if you can...Loved mine.

SWD/Cobray 9mm: Just shoot Kingsons once with the high speed buffer and the 72rd Sumoi drum and you will understand...[wink]

Sterling: Absolutely a joy to shoot

Uzi: What more can you say? Do some research. There are builds to steer clear of.

Here's some candy: http://www.autoweapons.com/products/products.html
 
Rockrivr1 said:
For some reason I've been bitten by the Dragunov style rifle bug. As you can see in the poll, some of these are damn expensive. Most are 7.62x54R with one being in 8mm. Both calibers are easy to find, even though they are getting expensive like all other ammo.

If money wasn't an option and you could only get one of these, which one would you get and why? Right now I know where to get one of each of these with the exception of the Russion SVD. I'm hoping for a bonus this year from work, which may go right to this rifle so I'm researching now. The Romanian is obviously the cheapest, but not a true Dragonov. Plus there seems to mixed reviews about how reliable they are. I'd be pissed plunking down $800 for a rifle that doesn't work.

Thanks for the help spending my money!!![smile]
Click to expand...


Not reliable?!? The Romak rifles are AK design and can shoot mud covered rounds if needed.

If its accuracy you're concerned about, a Romak won't give you any less thah a real Russian Dragunov. Both rifles shoot the same round, both use the same scope, both have a problem with barrel whip with the Russian being a little more reliable but not by much. The only difference is the gas system.

The Russian Dragunov was never designed to be a 10 shots in 1 hole sniper rifle. It was designed as a scoped support weapon capable of hitting a man sized target at long range. As were the Romanian rifles and thats something that the Romak rifles are definitely capable of doing.

As for barrel whip, thats a subject that only becomes an issue once it heats up. Anyone using the rifle for its intended purpose won't be firing enough shots to heat the barrel to the point of accuracy falling off.

As for what I'd buy if I could afford it... I think the Yugo M76 looks nice even though the design is similar, but hey... its 8mm! [shocked]
 
Milsurps 4 Me said:
Not reliable?!? The Romak rifles are AK design and can shoot mud covered rounds if needed.

If its accuracy you're concerned about, a Romak won't give you any less thah a real Russian Dragunov. Both rifles shoot the same round, both use the same scope, both have a problem with barrel whip with the Russian being a little more reliable but not by much. The only difference is the gas system.

The Russian Dragunov was never designed to be a 10 shots in 1 hole sniper rifle. It was designed as a scoped support weapon capable of hitting a man sized target at long range. As were the Romanian rifles and thats something that the Romak rifles are definitely capable of doing.

As for barrel whip, thats a subject that only becomes an issue once it heats up. Anyone using the rifle for its intended purpose won't be firing enough shots to heat the barrel to the point of accuracy falling off.

As for what I'd buy if I could afford it... I think the Yugo M76 looks nice even though the design is similar, but hey... its 8mm! [shocked]
Click to expand...

See.........I told you!
 
I have the psl54c, If I had the coin I would at the least get a Chinese copy of the real Drag. (ndm86? ) there is a guy who had been advertising one here in for sale. Heck you can come out and test fire my PSL as much as you want to see if you like it.
 
Of that list, I'd take the M76 - I like 8mm better, and have more of it.

As others have pointed out, though, there are rifles I'd spend that kind of money on before any of those.
 
I think I would get a PSL and spend the rest on ammo and mags and what not. I would be afraid to scratch a $5000 dollar gun.

On a side note my next firearm will be either a PSL or a Saiga .308. Once I get my M&P45 sold I should have the cash, just have to find the rifle next.
 
Milsurps 4 Me said:
Not reliable?!? The Romak rifles are AK design and can shoot mud covered rounds if needed.
Click to expand...

I agree that any AK type rifle is probably one of THE most reliable type of firearms. Spending some time though on the Dragunov.net web site and a number of those guys have reported reliability problems with their Romanian rifles. Plus, at the last car shoot Goose was having problems with his as well.

Honestly, I know there are probably better rifles for this kind of cash. Then again, when your mind gets a hankering for something it's hard to disagree. [thinking] Maybe it's just the aesthetics, but these types of rifles have a certain, something, to them that has me interested.

Then again, I felt that way with reproduction lever actions last year. Held off on that and now my interests have moved. That's my fear with getting a Machine Gun license. Who knows what black hole of debt I'd fall into if I had one of those. [rolleyes]
 
If you want scratch this itch without spending a ton of dough, look into a Vepr or Saiga 308. Worked for me and my brother! [smile]

vepr.jpg
 
I voted Russian SVD, as if money wasn't holding me back on it, I would have one already.

That being said, I own a PSL already, and it's worth buying. If you knew all of what Iown, you would understand why, to some extent, and you would know that my comments mean something. Of course, I do have a weak spot for Russian (and Finnish) military firearms, and I own a modest assortment. I am considering an SVT-40, though.

My RomAK has been very reliable, and it's one of my hunting rifles as well.
 
I own a Romanian PSL. I bought about a month ago at Stateline in Mason NH.

I should be at the car shoot or pumpkin shoot if you want to try it. It was worth the $800.00
 
What I don't understand is why is everything over the romak priced so high? Do these fall under the import ban and are no longer coming in?
 
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Chinese (NDM) and Russian (SVD) versions are no longer imported. I think you'll find both are currently banned. Add that not many Russian SVD's made it in, and you'll understand the prices.
 
I owned a Russian Tiger for a short bit. It was definitely a solid rifle and cost me a decent amount. I believe I paid about $2600 for it. It was in immaculate condition and I only put like 60 rounds down the tube. I just changed my mind about the rifle. The parts are hard to find and I just didn't want that amount of money dropped in to the gun. I ended up trading it in to Zero Hour and I think it is still there. That could be an option for you.
 

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